Commercial Harvest of the Jacks Complex Closed to Vessels Fishing in the South Atlantic Federal Waters

The commercial harvest of the jacks complex in the South Atlantic federal waters is closed, effective 12:01 a.m. (local time) July 2, 2012, until 12:01 a.m. (local time) January 1, 2013. NOAA Fisheries Service has determined the 2012 commercial annual catch limit of 193,999 pounds for the jacks complex will have been reached by this date. The jacks complex is comprised of the following species: Almaco jack; banded rudderfish; and lesser amberjack.

During the closure, all harvest or possession of almaco jack, banded rudderfish, and lesser amberjack in or from South Atlantic federal waters is restricted to the bag and possession limits and the sale or purchase of such fish is prohibited. In addition, a person on board a vessel for which a federal commercial permit for the South Atlantic Snapper-Grouper Fishery has been issued, is restricted to the bag and possession limits. Sale or purchase of such fish is prohibited during the closure for the jacks complex and would apply regardless of whether the fish are harvested in state or federal waters.

Closure of the commercial sector for the jacks complex in the South Atlantic complies with regulations implementing the Fishery Management Plan for the Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic Region and is necessary to protect the snapper-grouper resource.

The operator of a vessel with almaco jack, banded rudderfish, and lesser amberjack in excess of the bag or possession limits aboard must have landed such species prior to 12:01 a.m., local time, July 2, 2012, and all sale or purchase of such fish must occur prior to 12:01 a.m., local time, July 2, 2012. The prohibition on sale or purchase does not apply to sale or purchase of almaco jack, banded rudderfish, and lesser amberjack that were harvested, landed ashore, and sold prior to 12:01 a.m., local time, July 2, 2012, and were held in cold storage by a dealer or processor.

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